Control switch for steering wheels



Feb. 29, 1944. J. BLACKBURN CONTROL SWITCH FOR STEERING WHEELS Filed Oct. 17, 19112 41- TO IPA/E? Patented Feb. 29, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CONTROL SWITCH FOR STEERING WHEELS Jasper Blackburn, Webster Groves, Mo.

Application October 17, 1942, Serial No. 462,403

4 Claims.

This invention relates to control switches for the lighting and horn sounding devices of a motor driven vehicle, such as an automobile, motor boat or airplane.

The prime object of the invention is to provide electrical switch assemblies and switch controls mounted on the steering wheel of the automobile or other motor vehicle, for the purpose of conveniently controlling the head lamps and horn of the vehicle, to the end that the driver may operate and control either the lights or the horn without removing his hands from the steering wheel.

A further object is to provide control switches on the steering wheel of a motor vehicle, such as an automobile, for operating the lights and horn thereof, including elements or members slidably extended around the rim or periphery of the wheel, whereby the said switches controlling th horn and lights may be conveniently operated by the hands of the driver from any point upon the said rim.

A further object of the invention is to provide in a steering wheel of the kind referred to and having electrical switches mounted on the rim thereof for controlling and operating the horn and signal lights of the vehicle upon which the wheel is assembled, switch controlling means slidably mounted around the rim of the wheel, whereby certain selected switches may be separately and independently operated by the hands of the driver at any point around the said mm.

A still further object of the invention is to provide in combination with the steering wheel of a motor vehicle, the rim of the wheel being circularly channeled out or grooved, elements slidably mounted within the said channel, and arranged through such slidable action to operate and control the electrical lights and horn of the vehicle, through switches or contacts also mounted upon the rim of the wheel in the line of movement of the said slidable elements.

With the above stated object in view, together with such other objects and advantages as may appear from th following specification, attention is directed to the accompanying drawing as embodying and illustrating certain preferred forms of the invention, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the under side of an automobile steering wheel, having my invention incorporated thereupon, the rim of the wheel being channeled out at its under side to receive the elements of the invention, which are shown mounted in the said channel, the electrical wiring system of the assembly bein shown diagrammatically.

Figure 2 is an enlarged, fragmental detail in plan, showing the fixed contacts of the horn switch unit, as seated within the channel of the rim, at the upper side of the wheel, together with the arrangement of the slidable control elements as mounted in the channel at either side of the fixed contacts, for movement to and from these contacts for closing or opening the electrical circuit through the horn.

Figure 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional view on the line 4-4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a fragmental view in plan of a modification 0f the invention, wherein both a horn switch as above referred to, and light switches or light switch contacts, are mounted in the channel of the wheel rim at opposite sides of th contacts, and showing the arrangement of the slidable switch controls at either side. the wiring being shown diagrammatically,

Figure '7 is an enlarged fragmental detail on the line ?1 of Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a fragmental detail in plan, showing a modified form of the invention.

Figure 9 is a section on the line 9-9 of Figure 8.

This invention is designed for mounting upon a conventional steerin wheel 5 of a motor vehicle, such as an automobile (not shown), the said wheel. comprising the hub B, spokes l and rim 8, and being anchored or adapted for mounting at the upper end of a hollow steering post in the usual manner, and the electrical wires for controllin the signals being extended up through the post, which is also a conventional arrangement.

In carrying out the present invention, a deep channel or groove 9 is cut out or formed around the under side of the rim 8, and a plurality of free elements are sliclably mounted within this channel as switch controlling means. As shown in Figures 1 to 7 these elements H] are formed arcuately or curveclly in plan, to correspond exactly with the curvature of the channel 9, and so as to fit accurately, freely and slidably into this channel. These arcuate elements or segments It! may be of any desired length, but preferably they would be of equal length, and so that a certain number thereof will approximately fill the circuit of the channel, except for the relatively short space 9a reserved at one point of the channel immediately at the end of one of the spokes 1, wherein is mounted the horn contacts and switch later to be described. The elements 19 are of dielectric material and are rounded at their ends as shown at H, for the sake of insuring uniform and free contact with each other within the channel, and they are also formed with a plurality of out-turned knobs or bosses l2, "in order to" provide convenient grips for the handsof the driver. Elongated slots I3 are cut through the elements ID at points adjacent their ends, and headed screws M are passed freely through these slots and are seated into the rim 8 at the bottom of'the "channeltjwliereby the elements Ill are held slidably-inplacedn the channel, and may be moved back and forth therein to the limited extent permittedby'the length of the slots l3. These slots lily-immediately adjacent the ends of the space 9a (reserved for the horn switch'and contacts) are relatively elongated or extended at each side of the screws l 4, as*sh own at Isa, and coil springs 55 are 's'eatfedwithin these slots at each side of the screws f'and are braced at their ends between thescrews and the end marginsfof the slots. Thus these "springs normally and resiliently urge all of the elements or segments I compactlytogeth'erancl away from the space 9a:,' s o -'as' to clear-this space.

From the structures and assembly 'of elements as so far shownarid described-itisobvious that the entire train of elements I'll may be conveniently pushed by either hand of the driver up'on the wheel rim, towards'either end' r the-space 911, as may be required inmetperauon-or the device and for sounding the horn, and aS wiII be more fully explained later on. I

'I he outer endsof the curved segments or elements l0, immediateIy'adjacent the space 9a, are pointed off or'sharply rounded; asshown at l6, and correspondingly pointed metallic caps or circuit closers ll are firmly secured over theseends in any conventional manner, as by the screws l8. A pair of metallic electrical contacts or'terminals l9 are seated in spaced'relation in'the'rim8,"-in the bottom of the channel lland mediallypfthe space 9a, in a plane perpendicular vto the plane of the wheel '5 and in'alinei extended radially horn operating assembly, including the electrical contacts or terminals l9 and train of arcuate segments l0 terminated by the metallic circuit closers IT at either side for operating the horn. But there is here shown in addition, switches or switch assemblies for controlling and operating the lighting system of the motor vehicle, the same being incorporated at the upper side of the wheel in the space 91). In order to provide this space 0 9b, thetrain'of elements or segments l0 of the previously described assembly is divided into two separate trains Illa, lllb, disposed in the channel 9 at either side of the Wheel rim 8 and immediately at the end of one of the spokes 1 as shown, 5 diametrically opposite to the described horn operating unit. In this modification the slots l3b in the ends of the segments Illa, Hlb, at each side 'of'thespace'9b;areelongated as shown, similarly tothe slots l3a of the previously described assem- 0 bly, and coil springs a are mounted within these "slots --at each side of theretaining screws I ia. *Ihese springs together with the'springs I'4 at the opposite" ends of the segments ma, 'lllb; adjacent the horn operating unit, operat'e to hold the'trains 5 of "segments 1011, I 01) T always' 'presse'd closely-"tog ether at either side 'of the wheel and clear of the spaceQb, reservedforthe-light control switch unit.

"The light switch control -unit"comprises three 0 "metallic contact I buttons iifl, 3 l 32, mounted i'n a row longitudinally'inthe bottom or the chaii'nel "9, medially of the space 9a provided therefor as aforesaid. The upper faces of 'thesebuttons 'are smoothed oif in 'a"common planefiand are elecfr-trically connected with thewires"33, 34; 35, which are extended through the adjacent-'spoke l', the central or neutral wi1"e3 i-being grounded as'indieated at 36 to any convenient metallic part of the vehicle, such as thehub 6. Theother two wires 33,; 35 are extended through the dininier from the hubof thewheeL-in suh position that n either of the pointed caps ll when moved inwardly ior the purpose, will nose in between the said terminals l9 and-contact both of them,- thus k closing any electrical 'circuit'connected'wvith the born 23 which is in turn electricallyconnectd with the battery i lgrounded at 25; while-the" other Wire 2| is extended and groufided'asiiidicated at 26 to any'suitable point on the vehicle, as to the metallic'hub fi of the Wheel 5,

In the operation of theassembly asso: far 'describedQand in order tdsoim'dthe 'horn"23,"all"65 the driver has to'do is to push the t'rain 'of; elements lllin either direction; with either hand on the wheel rim, this action in turn causing "one or the other of the caps I! to close the circuit through the terminals l9and the connected horn 23. "When hand pressure isagain-released from the train of elements l0; they are automatically returned to their neutratposition 'by the springs In Figures Band '7 is"'sho'wn-' thesarne' firnf of lighting filament El and the fullstrength lightfiig filament 38 of the lamp bulbfSBfWhre they are joined to the cornmonwire "tlf'which connects 'with the batteryzd. An elongated,'rectangular -switc'liblock li of dielectric material, and-somewhat shorter than the 'space 9b, is sl'idably mounted within the said spa'ce,"and has mounted on its lowerface ateach end thereof, metallic "contact plates 42, 13, "spaced apart medially"as shown. The arrangement and dimensioning 6f the parts is such that as the switch block '4lis shifted to either end of the'space 9b, eitherof the plates 42, 43 will serve to electrically connect the central or neutral wire and eitherof the two outer wires"33, 35. Thus by merely' moving this switch block ll toeither'end of thespac'e 9b, the circuit'may be closed through either'the dimmer filament or through the full strength filament, as desired. On the other hand, in the middle or neutral position of the'block 4| neither of" thewires 33 or'35 would be contacted,'arid no lights would be shown.

In Figure 8 is shown stillanother modification, whereina train of marbles we is used to fill the channel 90, in lieu of the arcuate elements heretofore described as control" means'for the horn switch unit of Figures 1 to 7, the'margins of the channel being extended up and inwardly, as at lid, for retaining the marbles in place. Also there is here shown a pair of divergent, stifi leaf springs 15b winch normally serve'to' separate theci'rcu-it closers llb; said-springs being seated and e tended from the adjacent spoke l. Q theiwise the 5 7 operation is as before --explai-ned relative to the assembly and horn control devices of Figures 1 to 7.

It is to be understood of course that all electrical elements are to be suitably insulated after conventional practice. Ordinarily the rims of steering wheels are of wood, hard rubber or other dielectric material, and frequently the spokes also are of hard rubber or the like material. Otherwise the wires as passed through the spokes, would need to be well insulated. The marbles as referred to in the third form modification of Figure 8, would be of any dielectric material. Any other desired signals in addition to the horn and lights, could be equally controlled from the rim of the steering wheel through the means here described, as for instance the right, left and stop traflic signals, commonly electrically operated.

While I have here shown and described certain preferred embodiments of the invention, and certain specific structural features thereof, the described structures and features may be changed or modified within the scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. In a device of the kind described, including a steering wheel channeled out around its rim, and there being electrical contacts mounted in the channel for controlling one or more signals, a train of disconnected dielectric elements freely and movably mounted within the channel, in an end-wise contactual relation and limited to axial movement along the channel, the circuitous train of elements being parted and spaced at its ends from the said electrical contacts of the channel, means for normally and resiliently holding the said train of elements from contact at its ends with the said electrical contacts of the channel, and circuit closers at the ends of the said train of elements adapted to close electrical circuits through the contacts of the channel when moved thereto.

2. In combination with the steering wheel of a motor vehicle, the rim of the wheel being uniformly channeled out, a plurality of free dielectric elements movably mounted in the channel,

filling same laterally and arranged for limited reciprocable movement therein along the axis of the channel for controlling electrical switches mounted on the wheel, and means for resiliently holding the said elements to their normal neutral position in the channel.

3. In a steering wheel for a vehicle, the same having its circular rim channeled out peripherally, one or more trains of free and unconnected dielectric elements movably mounted in the channel in endwise contactual relation, spanning the channel laterally but adapted for limited axial reciprocable movement in the channel, spaces being provided at the ends of the trains of elements and within the channel for receiving electrical contacts, electrical contacts seated within the channel within the spaces provided as aforesaid, circuit closers at the ends of the trains of elements adapted to close electrical circuits through the said contacts of the channel when moved thereagainst, and means for normally and resiliently holding the trains of elements with their circuit closers at the ends thereof, to their inoperative positions clear of the said electrical contacts of the channel.

4. In a steering wheel formed with a peripheral channel around its rim and a train of dielectric elements movably mounted to travel axially within the channel, the said train of elements being parted to provide space thereat for electrical switching elements, a plurality of electrical con tacts mounted in circumferential alignment within the said channel, and an elongated switch block of dielectric material somewhat shorter than the space provided at the parting of the train of elements, slidably mounted within said space, the same having mounted on its face contiguous with the said contacts metallic contact plates spaced apart medially to cover any two of the contacts to complete and close an electrical circuit as the block is reciprocated endwise within the channel.

JASPER BLACKBURN. 

